Zebra and quagga mussels are not native to Canada and can wreak havoc on ecosystems and infrastructure. With growing concerns that invasive mussels could arrive in our province, Alberta launched the first Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force to identify ways to improve inspection, detection, response and education so that these dangerous species do not get established here.
Invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive species can be easily and inadvertently introduced, often by the movement of boats and other watercraft. These mussels might be tiny, but the negative impacts are massive. If invasive mussels became established inside Alberta’s borders, they could spread rapidly, clog waterways, upset lakes and other ecosystems and cause hundreds of millions of dollars annually in damages.
Alberta is currently free of invasive mussels and inspected a record number of boats and other watercraft in 2024 to help keep it that way. The task force has provided a set of recommendations to address the threat of invasive mussels while also strengthening Alberta’s prevention and early detection efforts.
"Zebra mussels and other invasive species may be tiny but can cause massive damage. The work of this task force was vital for identifying ways to improve defense programs across our province, and we will continue to push the federal government to take this threat as seriously as we are. I’m grateful to the members for their time and expertise to help protect Alberta’s water infrastructure and rivers, lakes and waterways."
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
The provincial task force, led by Grant Hunter, MLA for Taber-Warner provided valuable advice on critical topics to strengthen the province’s aquatic invasive species programs. The team of experts also assessed strategies, including education and awareness, watercraft inspection and decontamination, monitoring, as well as the detection, response and management of current and emerging threats.
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